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After months and months of speculation, the cast for "Star Wars: Episode VII" was announced today, on the official "Star Wars" site. (Good luck getting through. You could practically hear the smoke from the grinding of the Internet's wheels as soon as the announcement went up.)

Here's the official announcement:

"The Star Wars team is thrilled to announce the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII.

"Director J.J. Abrams says, "We are so excited to finally share the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII. It is both thrilling and surreal to watch the beloved original cast and these brilliant new performers come together to bring this world to life, once again. We start shooting in a couple of weeks, and everyone is doing their best to make the fans proud."

"Star Wars: Episode VII is being directed by J.J. Abrams from a screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan and Abrams. Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams, and Bryan Burk are producing, and John Williams returns as the composer. The movie opens worldwide on December 18, 2015."

Among the names you might notice there are, oh, you know, HARRISON FORD, CARRIE FISHER AND MARK HAMILL. I'm not a big "Star Wars" geek, but dang, that even excites me.

I spoke with Ford a year ago and asked him about all the rumors. The exchange went like this:

Q: I think they'd take my movie-critic card away if I didn't ask you about the rumors that you'll be in the new "Star Wars" movie.

A: Well I'm hoping your card doesn't depend on getting an answer to that. I don't think it does.

Q: Ha. Probably not. Thanks again for your time.

A: Thank you. And good luck with that critic's card thing.

The secret is out now. So what do you think? I'm particularly happy to see Oscar Isaac among the new cast members. All of a sudden, I kind of can't wait. ...